Cut of 30% in planning levies proposed

Residents and developers in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown will see a cut in the cost of planning levies by almost 30 per cent under a draft plan to be discussed by councillors today.

The cut will see a drop in the levy from ¤130 to ¤95 per square metre for domestic extensions and non-residential developments, and from ¤15,000 to ¤11,000 per unit for residential schemes.

The changes are proposed as part of the council’s draft Development Contribution Scheme 2013-2015.

Development levies are applied by local authorities to applications for planning permission. The funds raised are used for local infrastructure and services.

Other proposed modifications to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown’s scheme include that those seeking planning permission after they have carried out works, such as building an extension, will pay a higher levy than if they had applied for permission before building.

Development
In a report to councillors, county manager Owen Keegan said the council’s obligation to provide public infrastructure and facilities was “substantially unchanged”. But the pace of

development had declined, he said.

He said the council had to ensure that the contribution rates were “still appropriate in the prevailing market” and did not act “as a deterrent or disincentive for future prospective investment and development, or as a penalty or barrier to enterprise start-up”.

If approved after public consultation, the new scheme will apply from June 1st this year.

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